Inter Milan are lining up a transfer approach for Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta, who has just a left on his current contract. The Spain international has been with the Catalan giants since the age of 12, but his future is hanging in the balance ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
According to Don Balon, the 33-year-old has failed to reach an agreement over a contract extension at the Camp Nou, and it looks likely that he could part ways with the club before next month’s transfer deadline.
The Nerazzurri have watched cross-city rivals AC Milan bring several high-profile names including Leonardo Bonucci this summer, and this has intensified their search for an experienced midfielder, who could control the play from the centre of the park.
Inter are willing to match any contract offer put on the table by Barcelona, but the final decision would be left to Iniesta, who has previously highlighted his desire to retire at the Catalunya outfit.
Iniesta has won all accolades he could have wished for at club and international level, and the Ballon d’Or is the only award which has eluded him due to the presence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have shared the prize between them over the past nine seasons.
Barcelona are already on the search for a new midfielder, who could replace Iniesta in the ranks after having approached Paris Saint-Germain for the services of Marco Verratti.
The Italy international has been the mainstay at the French outfit over the past five seasons, but Barcelona are prepared to persuade Les Parisiens into a sale by offering one of Andre Gomes or Ivan Rakitic in makeweight in a proposed deal.
Iniesta has struggled to add up to his assist-tally on a regular basis in recent seasons, and he is now being seen as an effective passer, who could engage forward runs for the MSN – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar.
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